Our Mission

My musical career began at the age of three, when I sat my family down and went through rousing renditions of every Disney princess’s theme song. Thus began my tumultuous relationship with music, where it was both the biggest source of stress and self-doubt as well as my most important coping skill. I felt particularly passionate about pursuing music therapy because of how I developed through my own musical journey, and am committed to providing guidance through others’ journey as well.

I received my B.M. in Clarinet Performance and B.A. in Psychology from the Eastman School of Music/ University of Rochester. I then completed my Master of Music Therapy degree at Loyola University New Orleans, and interned at Expressive Therapies Utah in the Salt Lake City area. I have worked with various needs and populations, including adults and adolescents in mental health treatment, neurodiverse children and adults, memory care, and hospice. I love seeing the impact music has on everyone, and can’t wait to be a part of your musical journey as well.

 

​When I’m not playing music you can find me trying new vegan recipes or camping in the desert.

 

From a young age, I was exposed to all kinds of music, although my growth in musicianship and leadership truly began during my middle and high school years in various choral groups. With a family deeply rooted in medicine, I soon discovered and decided to pursue music therapy, driven by a passion and understanding to help others.

Upon receiving my bachelor’s degree in music therapy from Berklee College of Music, I completed my clinical internship at Children’s Hospital of Orange County (CHOC). There, I had the privilege of working with an inspiring team of music therapists and patients of varying abilities, from infants to adolescents, in both intensive care and inpatient mental health settings.

I have gained additional, valuable experiences with diverse populations including neurodivergent groups, early intervention, adults in cancer treatment, and currently in memory care and special education. In between, I have spent much time volunteering and caregiving for those with special needs and chronic illnesses.

From these collective experiences, I am looking to further my skills in music therapy as a clinician with a focus on neuroscience. I aim to meet my clients’ needs creatively and therapeutically, as well as help them grow towards brighter futures in their well-being.

Outside of facilitating music therapy, I enjoy spending time with friends and family, usually surrounded by food and music.

 

I was born surrounded by music. I sang in children’s choirs and did karaoke at family gatherings, I played piano, clarinet, drums, and ukulele before the end of middle school, then by high school I learned oboe, saxophone, and guitar. To this day I enjoy engaging in many arts: from dance and drawing, to film and theater, to eating good food (it IS an art) and more. But with the many instruments I continued to learn and perform with over the years, it only showed how much music has been my ultimate passion.

Before I studied music therapy, I was a caretaker for my lolo (grandpa in Tagalog) diagnosed with dementia. My family and I noticed how greatly he benefited from making music with us until the day he passed away. From this and other experiences with various friends and family, we recognized how I could support so many other people through the healing properties of music, and I finally used my passion to pursue music therapy.

I graduated from the University of the Pacific in 2024 with a B.M. in Music Therapy - concentrating in oboe - and a minor in Psychology, completing my internship with the Bay Area private practice Bee You Music Therapy in 2025. Throughout my education, I have worked in memory care facilities, speech-language pathology clinics, with hospital oncology patients, in behavioral health, in a correctional facility, in play centers and schools working with neurodiverse children, and with individual clients in physical and occupational therapy. 

In my vocation, I aspire to provide safe, inclusive spaces for individuals to express themselves and grow holistically in agency and identity.

 

My path to music therapy began long before my clinical training. Growing up in Colorado, I was deeply influenced by the creative arts and the natural world, which shaped my belief that community and creativity are inseparable from connection, purpose, and healing. I fell in love with singing early on, expanding my musicianship through musical theatre, vocal performance, choral ensembles, and learning to play multiple instruments.

​

I graduated with distinction from the Music Therapy program at Colorado State University, where many of my academic projects focused on the intersections of social systems, equity, and well-being. I completed my clinical internship at Integrated Therapy of Northern Colorado, deepening my understanding of sensory systems, neurodiversity, and neuro-affirming care. While completing my internship, I worked with researchers at CSU to examine and compile the modern evidence base for group drumming as an effective treatment for adult mental health.

My clinical work stems from the core belief that music belongs to everyone: each individual has innate creative potential that deserves to be seen, empowered, and supported. Rooted in trauma-informed, neuroscience-informed, and resource-oriented approaches, my sessions center sensory regulation, intrinsic motivation, mindfulness, and authentic relationships. I aim to demystify music-making through expanded access, client agency, reflexive practice, and meaningful artistic expression.

I have experience in many settings and ages, supporting neurodivergent individuals, mental health journeys, physical health conditions, and aging.

​

Outside of clinical practice, I recharge through time outdoors, baking, creating art, and exploring specialty coffee shops.

​

My journey to music therapy began with learning how to make music. I grew up as a classically trained pianist, immersed in repertoire that demanded discipline, precision, and emotional depth. Music was a place where expression felt limitless, yet expectations were exacting. Over time, I began to notice that music did more than showcase technique; it held emotion, regulated my nervous system, and offered meaning when words fell short. That realization quietly set the foundation for my path into music therapy.
 

I completed my undergraduate degree in piano performance and psychology at Bard College and Bard Conservatory of Music, where I began integrating my classical background with a growing interest in human behavior, emotional expression, and therapeutic relationships. This interdisciplinary foundation led me to pursue my Master’s degree in Music Therapy at NYU Steinhardt, where my clinical identity continued to take shape through rigorous coursework, supervision, and hands-on training in adult mental health settings. Across my education and clinical work, I have supported individuals navigating complex emotional and psychological experiences, learning to use music as a means of containment, agency, and connection through both active and receptive approaches.
 

My clinical philosophy is grounded in client-centered and music-centered practice, with strong influences from Nordoff-Robbins music therapy, improvisational approaches, and the Bonny Method of Guided Imagery and Music (GIM). I view music as an active therapeutic agent — capable of holding structure and freedom simultaneously, offering safety while inviting exploration. As a therapist, I prioritize attunement to each client’s musical, emotional, and cultural world, supporting expression that honors both vulnerability and resilience. My classical training informs my sensitivity to musical form and nuance, while these music therapy principles continue to shape my belief in each individual’s innate musicality and capacity for growth.
 

Outside of clinical work, I enjoy watching movies, crochet, painting, spending time with loved ones, traveling, and exploring new experiences.

 

Music has been one of the most impactful forces in my life for as long as I can remember. From a young age, I found community and a sense of belonging in music-centered spaces, whether it was children’s musicals, choral groups, rock bands, or sitting in my living room playing guitar and singing with loved ones. 

 

Growing up in the East Bay, I studied vocal music at Oakland School for the Arts, where I felt most at peace and authentically myself when connecting with others through singing. I realized that music had been my most prominent coping mechanism for years, and after taking my first psychology course I knew the intersection of music and the brain was what I was meant to study. 

 

I graduated from Loyola University New Orleans in 2024 with a B.M. in Music Therapy, concentration in Jazz Voice, and a minor in Psychology. After spending some years in the vibrant, music-rich city of New Orleans, I returned home to the Bay for my clinical internship at UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital at Mission Bay. Throughout my music therapy education, I have had the opportunity to serve medically complex infants through young adults, neurodivergent children and adolescents, and older adults in assisted living facilities. I have experience collaborating with interdisciplinary teams, including school teachers, occupational therapists, and speech-language pathologists, to co-treat clients in music therapy sessions.

 

Developmental psychology is at the forefront of my person-centered therapeutic approach, and I aspire to support each and every client in reaching their fullest potential by building meaningful connections through music. I strive to provide a safe space for my clients to exist authentically without fear of judgement.

 

Outside of my clinical work, I can be found making chainmail jewelry, embroidering thrifted clothing, or reconnecting to nature with friends.